A cyclists life is cheap again

[jefmcg]

So I've just been looking at the google maps link given on a previous page. So is this where the driver was coming from? If so, I can't imagine many people would have crossed the centre line there, there doesn't seem much point.

Do people think this is a common occurrence? I wouldn't think that piece of road needs any fixing, it seems a nice turn, with good sight lines.

 

[mustang1]

Stop blaming the road. The road isn't the issue.

It might have seemed like I was blaming the road, but that's just a stupid piece of dumb tarmac and wasn't my intention.

They should plonk a 20mph (or whatever) speed limit there along with a camera.

Edit: bunch of stuff deleted: it was typed but didn't make much sense to post.

 

[mustang1]

Instead the cyclist gets hit by an impatient driver overtaking where the road narrows for the island.

I think my 20mph idea plus camera is still the way to go. Practical, cheap, possible revenue generator and everyone's happy(er).

 

[Origamist]

Granted. I'm not a road designer, however my larger point is that can't beyond the ability of people who understand / know these things to design safer roads.

They try to.

This thread highlights two perspectives on how to tackle road danger - the "behaviourist" approach and the "systems" approach. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[si_c]

They try to.

This thread highlights two perspective on how to tackle road danger - the "behaviourist" approach and the "systems" approach. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I totally agree, which I believe was my point above. We should discourage poor driving and punish those who flout the rules, harshly in instances where death or injury result. That doesn't prevent anyone from trying to limit the potential harm that could be caused by poor, or inattentive drivers, particularly given the evidence shows that people are behaving in a way that justifies such an approach.

Insisting that only one approach represents the one true way(tm) is irrational and unhelpful.

 

[Origamist]

So I've just been looking at the google maps link given on a previous page. So is this where the driver was coming from? If so, I can't imagine many people would have crossed the centre line there, there doesn't seem much point.

Do people think this is a common occurrence? I wouldn't think that piece of road needs any fixing, it seems a nice turn, with good sight lines.

If you're in a rush and impatient, you might be tempted to take a "racing line" through a bend like that - as it appears the driver in this tragic case did. It might have shaved 2 secs off his journey time - instead, he killed someone.

 

[mjr]

This is the fens. The roads follow the drainage systems. There is normally no scope to change the roads.

Not quite "no scope" but it is surprisingly expensive because it requires stuff like diverting drains and constructing new causeways or rafts. I'm surprised they've dualled as much of the A47 as they have. Major works on a back road seems very unlikely to me.

So I've just been looking at the google maps link given on a previous page. So is this where the driver was coming from? If so, I can't imagine many people would have crossed the centre line there, there doesn't seem much point.

Far too many people seem to think reaching the likes of Peterborough city centre traffic jams 2 seconds earlier is worthwhile so I can believe some are taking "racing line" through that bend. It's not even one of the worst fen bends. Try https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6...4!1stSweCRWD6laQXMv8O3Scxw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 - the gentle bend and junction layout means you can easily miss the 90-degree left turn for the B road at night (no <<< chevrons, no sharp bend warning sign, the turn sign well off the sight line to the right...) and either hit another vehicle entering the bend the other way or fail to make the turn and end up in the drain on the outside.

Do people think this is a common occurrence? I wouldn't think that piece of road needs any fixing, it seems a nice turn, with good sight lines.

I think it's fairly common but the only fixing that road needs is a 40mph limit and gating on that bend to discourage people from Coates using it to get to Peterborough! Some sat navs reckon it's faster than the 2km shorter A605 for much of the day, mainly because most of the back roads (North Bank and Storey's Bar) don't have traffic sensors on them and so the computers assume they're clear.</rant>